After a steep and painful hike we arrived to a fantastic trail in the cliff, which was the start of stage 2. As we were in the cliff we had no choice other than to start on a steep trail, before heading to a 120m elevation climb in the stage. I was confident and started to ride up in 38 tooth chain ring, talking to myself to give everything I have. I was passing people until I saw a rider 200m further still climbing. My legs and my brain agreed to put in the 22 tooth ring to reach the top. It was not easy to find the good pace when you just saw the trail on a map. The rest was downhill and even though I was not able to see clearly, I had fun riding between trees and the flowy turns. Mother Nature had done a good job for us.

After the usual, and always appreciated food stop, we went up under warm sun to the top of the moon for stage 3. The grey earth stage was a highlight of this Trans Provence for many reasons. First for its amazing grip, then for its speed and fun, we all rode down this following different ridges at full speed, drifting in the corners, jumping natural jumps. And last but not least, because we lost our friend Ben Cruz (he was ripping in 5th place overall), he went down hard and broke his ankle trying to bunny–hop at 20km/h a giant ditch landing in another one and flying over the bars. He was alive but was taken alone to hospital for a unique experience as a young American in France. There is a lot of stories, all of them funnier than each other, but we can’t tell here!

After that we hiked up to the start of the last stage, with a little bit of apprehension. We all ride at 100% on an unknown trail and sometimes we are really on the limit, so it’s maybe time to keep it easy. But we are also all racers, so as soon as we start, we forget that and keep on riding wide open. On the last one of the day that was not the best idea for me. It was really tricky with lots of loose branches, loose rocks, unpredictable switchbacks and hidden uphills. I was feeling like a junior racing for the first time and who forgot everything I’d learned during my training. Sometimes it’s better to keep the flow and do the right thing at the right time rather than just thinking about my speed.

But I put that behind me as soon as I met the other riders, staying at the village bar, sharing beers together and telling each other how amazing and exceptional today was in the mountain, riding bikes. I don’t think I’ll remember all the mistakes I did during this week, but for sure I’ll remember how much of a good time I had.

Ash’s description, “Large quantity of high quality singletrack, and breathtaking geography in the afternoon.”

You knew the day had begun when Chris, Ash’s dad, did the uplift register. Another tiny road took us to 1400m. In the drop zone, which happened to be another mountain village, Barel talked to an old lady who was making Gnocchi, and I found a Fox’s tail on a fence. A good luck sign in these parts.

A short liaison took us to stage 16, yes the 16^th stage. I had cuts, grazes and small bruises all over my body, my back was sore and I felt fatigued. I had already decided to have an easy day, ride in control, and stay smooth, but above all to look after my bike. After all, this was a race and I’d just taken the lead in the Expert category. But Jones, Martin, Kirkman, Kienast, Mathews, and Warrick were all going to hound me for sure.

As I beeped my chip and pedalled away from the start the red mist came down and I sprinted into blind oblivion, then I blew the first corner losing all speed and getting off track. After a quick word I calmed down. The top was fast and pretty straight, but after a short climb and concrete driveway with a launch into a single trail the turns began, hairpins, blind turns, boulders and more tight turns. I slid off–track, got off–line, missed a turn and nearly crashed more than once. I was glad to see the finish…so much for my plan.

As we rode to the next stage in groups, laughing and joking about blown turns and small crashes, enjoying the view and sun on our backs, I relaxed. On stage 17 I read the course notes, checked the map over and over and tried to visualise the trail. This time I was going to be in charge. I beeped and ripped, I was warmed–up focused and dialled to the trail. Pedally to start, with stumps and root jumps, then open and fast. I eyeballed the major junction early on and cut across the grass at high speed launching some natural rollers into walled stream bed, I could hear the rims dinging and rocks smashing the frame, but it was wicked fun. I knew it was fast, it was a clean run and awesome fun. On that natural high I rolled to the lunch stop and a pile of food.